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ALABAMA CITY 



ITS LOCATION 

AND THE ADVANTAGES IT OFFERS 

THE WORKINGMAN 



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DWIGHT MANUFACTURING COMPANY 

Alabama City, Etowah County, Alabama 



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DWIGHT MANUFACTURING COMPANY 

COTTON MILLS 
ALABAMA CITY, ALABAMA 



LOCATION 

Alabama City is midway between Gadsden and Attalla, being two miles from either 
place; fiftv-six miles northeast ot Birmingham, Alabama. Four railroads connect the three 
towns together, an electric car line is also in operation between the three places, with cars 
running every thirty minutes, passing within one hundred vards of the mill. 

The population of Gadsden is over 8,000 people, Alabama Citv about 4,000, and 
Attalla about 3,000. These towns are in the famous "Gadsden District," in which there 
are many large manufacturing plants. 



CLIMATE AND HEALTH CONDITIONS 

Alabama City is situated in the mountains, is balmy and shady in the summer, the 
nights being particularly cool and refreshing. The winters are mild and pleasant, as Alabama 
City is protected on the north by Lookout Mountain, and the air is crisp, invigorating, and 
health giving. The streets and alleys back of all houses have been thoroughly graded to 
quickly carry off all rain water, and the gutters are paved with stone. There is no standing 
water left anywhere to breed mosquitoes. The ground is high, without a swamp in any 
place, and in consequence we are free of malaria and kindred fevers. 

The healthfulness of Alabama Citv is one of its strong features, and an advantage no 
workingman can overlook, — the health of his family is above everything. 

The mountain air is recognized as the best tonic, and a pe"son will not only stay 
healtliv, but will be quicklv restored to health in these .. 'ns. 



DRINKING WATER 

Alabama City has freestone, sulphur, lime, and iron waters. 

Many people summer at Bellevue Heights a mile away to secure these waters. The 
sulphur and chalybeate mineral waters are locally famous for the benefits derived from 
their use. 

To supplement our regular water supply arrangements have recently been made 
whereby, within a very short time, the best ot the waters within miles of Alabama City will 
be piped directly to the yards of the cottages. 



OPERATIVES' HOUSES 

Alabama Citv is supplied with houses for operatives, on lots providing a large space for 
flower yards and vegetable gardens. The houses are of different design, beautifully painted, 
no two alike, and latticed underneath. Each house has a large veranda, blinds on the 
windows, and large cool halls. These houses have three-ply walls. The rooms are wain- 
scotted up four feet in natural wood and then lathed and plastered. The walls and ceilings 
are tinted in prettv colors with kalsomine. Everv house being painted a different color gives 
it the appearance ol an individual home. 

Most of these elegant and attractive cottages are owned bv the Dwight Ctmpanv, 
and all are rented to operatives at one dollar per room per month. Similar houses in Gadsden 
rent for four dollars per room per month, or more. 




Operatives' Cottage, Rent $3.00 per Month 




Operatives' Cottage, Rent $5.00 per Month 




Operatives' Cottage, Rent $4.00 per Month 




Operatives' Cottage, Rent $3.00 per Month 





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Operatives' Cottage, Rent S5.00 per Month 




Operatives' Cottage, Rent 

10 



.00 per Month 



COST OF LIVING — STORES AND SUPPLIES 

The D wight Company does not run anv store or commissary, but the people trade 
where they wish. Wages are paid in Cash on Saturdays, on which day mill stops at noon ; 
thus allowing opportunities for operatives to shop for their supplies, etc., at any store, of 
which there are a number in Alabama Citv and near by. Coal and Wood are to be had for 
prompt delivery at homes of operatives at lowest current prices. The Wood is sawed and 
split in suitable sizes, and pains are taken to see that an ample supply of both Coal and 
Wood is available at all times. 

Many of the people keep cows, at practically no expense, as thousands of acres of 
mountain pasture of luxurious grass are easily accessible, entirely free of cost. The City 
cnarges no license to the farmers, who consequently can offer for sale, at lowest prices, 
chickens, eggs, butter, and country produce, to people who do not raise their own. 

The above advantages appeal particularly to families from the cities. 

Board in Alabama City is cheap; onlv $2.50 to $3.00 per week being charged by 
families taking boarders. The Dwight Inn charges same rates. 




Drug Store — D wight Hail— General Store — and Miil Office 




Village Boarding-house 

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STREETS AND SIDEWALKS 

Alabama City is attractively laid out ; all the streets are provided with walks on 
each side. 

The streets are broad and level, and well graded, and are protected against gullying 
by well laid stone gutters. 

The sidewalks are amply shaded by trees, which tact contributes largely to comfort in 
the mid-day during the summer months. The walks are paved with chert, and even 
in rainiest weather are never muddy. 

The streets and public square are lighted every night by electricity, and the town 
provides police protection, so that disorderly persons are not tolerated. 




D wight Avenue 

13 




^_ Cabot Avenue 

10 




Winona Avenue 

17 




Marston Avenue 

18 



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Hinsdale Avenue 

19 



FIRE DEPARTMENT 

Alabama City is protected throughout the village and mill yard by a hydrant system, 
supplied by a reservoir of about 2,000,000 gallons of water located on a hill about 250 
feet higher than the mill. 

This provides an unusual supply of water to the well organized fire department of three 
companies maintained at Alabama City. 

In addition thereto, the Dwight Company maintains a chemical engine. 



SCHOOLS 

Alabama City is supplied with free schools, centrally located, and t he teachers are of 
highest ability and character. 

The buildings are modern, with large and well ventilated rooms, sufficient to accom- 
modate all the children desirous of attending. 



CHURCHES 

A beautiful Union Church, erected at a large cost, is one ot the most imposing build- 
ings in Alabama City, and meetings by all denominations are held in it. 

The Methodists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians all hold service here, and the Dwight 
Company contributes to the support of resident ministers, and also provides parsonages 
without charge. 

The Church is prettilv situated, and within easv distance of all the homes. In winter 
it is amplv heated bv a furnace. 

There is also a splendid Baptist Church building, with a good pastor and large 
membership. 




Public School Building 




Union Church 

24 




Interior Union Church 




Baptist Church 

26 



FREE LIBRARY 

The Howard Gardner Nichols Memorial Library is located opposite the Union Church. 
It enjovs the distinction of being the first Library building to be erected in the State of 
Alabama. 

The Library is supplied with a large number ot books, including educational, historic, 
and standard works of famous authors. Besides these are the best books for children, and 
the latest fiction. All the leading magazines and the local daily papers are accessible to 
patrons of the Library. 

The Library is absolutely free, and is open fr. m ~.oo to 9.00 every evening and 
between i.oo and 3.00 p. m. on Sundays, also. 

A capable librarian is in constant attendance when Library is open, and patrons may 
take home books, as provided for in the rules of the Library. 




Howard Gardner Nichols Memorial Library 

28 



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Interior of Library 



LODGE HALL 

The company furnishes a large, well ventilated, two-story brick building, the second 
story of which is used by the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Red Men 
Juniors, etc. 

A separate property-room for each order is supplied, besides which are a smoking- 
room, large ante-room, and toilet accommodations. 




Interior of Lodge Room 

31 




Coolidge 




Circle 



DWIGHT HALL 

Alabama City has a splendid town hall and stage with an adequate seating capacity. 
In it are held all the public meetings, entertainments, etc., spoken of later. 



CITY GOVERNMENT 

Alabama City is regularly incorporated as a Citv, and the local government is admin- 
istered by elected officials. 

While whisky and beer can be bought in Gadsden and Attalla, the sale of intoxicants is 
strictly prohibited in Alabama City. There are consequently no habitual drunkards in the 
place, nor will the Dwight Company rent houses to such people. 

The aim of the City Government is to encourage good Citizenship. The environ- 
ments here are for good, and make Alabama Citv a desirable place for homes for self-respecting 
people. Rowdies or vagrants are not permitted here. 



In addition to the foregoing conditions, covering the 
necessities of a comfortable home, the following pages 
will illustrate part of the attractions, and the provision 
of means of entertainment, which the Dwight Manufac- 
turing Company affords its employees. 



RECREATION PARK 

A shady grove of several acres, properly fenced in, and covered with well kept lawn 
o{ closely cropped Bermuda grass, is at the disposal of all, at all times. In the centre is a 
large dancing pavilion, covered by a roof, with a band-stand attached. 

Seats are all over the grove, and a number ot swings, see-saws, etc., are at hand for the 
voung people. 

It is here that the Brass Band frequently plays tor dances, and mothers and children 
enjoy, to fullest extent, their leisure hours in the open air amid most pleasant surroundings. 

Outdoor entertainments, ice-cream festivals, etc., are frequentlv held here, and are 
greatly appreciated. 




Dancing Platform, Recreation Park 




General View of Recreation Park 












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Sunday Afternoon 



BRASS BAND 

A uniformed Brass Band of twelve instruments, plaved hv the residents of Alabama 
City, gives frequent concerts at the Band pavilion at the lake, and at ball games, dances, etc., 
ard on Sunday afternoons and other occasions. 

The enlistment of new-comers who desire to join is most cordialh' invited bv the Band, 
who are provided a large room in one of the Dwight Manufacturing Company's buildings 
to practice in the evenings selected, during the week. 







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Mitchell Cornet Band 

4'J 



BASEBALL 

At " Dwight Park," which covers more ground than any similar park in this vicinity, 
baseball is played by a picked uniformed team, recruited from the employees of the Dwight 
Manufacturing Company. 

Games are plaved every Saturday afternoon at the park between the "Dwights" and 
visitors from other cities. A covered grand-stand with comfortable seats for over five hun- 
dred people is on the ball ground, and other seats are provided. 

Our team has met with great success this season, and junior teams are being organized 
rapidly. Good ball plavers will find every chance for encouragement at their favorite sport. 




The " Dvvijihts " 

44 




The " Dwights " in Action 

4.1 




Watching the Game 



BATH HOUSE 

At one end ot the Lakes, which are ot clear mountain water and cover about six acres, 
is located a bath-house. It is divided into separate parts, tor the use of men and women. 
It contains about fiftv dressing-rooms, properlv fitted with seats, hooks, and racks. 

A beach is made of boards, which extends the tull width ot the bath-house, and ranges 
in depth from one to five teet, so enclosed as to make it impossible to get beyond this depth. 

For expert swimmers, a springboard is provided, and diving into open lake is permitted. 

A regular attendant is in charge. Bathers must provide proper bathing suits, but the 
use of the bath-house, etc., is entirely free. 

The pastime is well patronized and is thoroughly beneficial and enjoyed by a large 
number ot both sexes, and all ages. 




Bath Houses 

48 



The Lakes — Bath Houses in distance 

i'j 



BOWLING ALLEY — GAMES, ETC. 

Well-kept, electric-lighted, bowling allevs, with regular pin-boys in constant attendance, 
and a man in charge, are readv for use any evening, except Sundays. 

The alleys are supplied with the best equipment of ten-pins and candle-pins, and the 
balls are of different sizes and weights to suit bowlers. 

The allevs are kept up in splendid condition at all times and some large scores are to 
their credit. This is a favorite winter pastime. 

In the same building is a large room, at the disposal of all, free of charge, in which 
indoor games of all kinds, except cards, are played. 




Dwight Bowling Alleys 




Interior of Bowling Alleys 



DWIGHT HALL — ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC. 

During the winter months, regular entertainments bv the Lvceum Bureau and other 
Companies are arranged for, and a careful selection of the manv features offered has furnished 
plentiful amusement, and earned well-merited applause for the entertainers. 

The Hall is 80' x 100', with very high ceiling, and well ventilated; lighted with 
electricitv and furnished with comfortable seats. 

To such traveling companies, or others as desire to use same, the hall is loaned, free 
of charge, to encourage entertainments of high character — which only are allowed — for 
the people. 

Street Fairs, Circuses and other shows are constantlv being given in Alabama City, 
Gadsden, and Attalla. A five-cent fare to either of the last tw^o places from Alabama City. 



53 




.«JR8fer 



Street Scene in Gadsden 



THE DWIGHT MANUFACTURING COMPANY'S COTTON MILL 

has no old machinery. The cotton used is ot good quality, and is prepared by the best 
machinery obtainable, which is maintained at highest standard, by men steadily employed for 
this purpose ; the work, consequently, runs well. 

The work-rooms are large, high studded, light, and well ventilated ; great attention to 
sanitation is insisted upon. 

The mill buildings are of latest construction, and are cooled in the summer by cold air, 
and warmed in the winter by heated air, blown in bv the ventilating system. 

Free ice water in the mill is supplied, in each room, to all the operatives, all the 
year around. 




View of Mills across Lake 




Dwight Manufacturing Company Mill Office 

57 



The object ot this booklet is to bring to your attention conditions, as they exist in 
Alabama City, — all of the above being exactly as represented and the pictures are actual 
photographs recently taken. 

TheDwight Manufacturing Company pays the best wages, — has best mill village,— 
a splendid mill, — and everything for the convenience and comfort of its employees. 

You will find employment with us pleasant, as all of our department heads are compe- 
tent and reasonable men. 

Applications for positions may be made in person or by mail to 

DWIGHT MANUFACTURING CO., 

Alabama City, Ala. 




Agent's Residence 

59 




Superintendent's Residence 




Noccalula Falls — A Sunday Recreation Spot 

Gl 




A Spring Day 




Excursion on the Coosa River 

63 




Grist Mill within Short Walk of Village 






LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 



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